The train did not get in until just before noon, but it brought me no letter

I delayed writing last night hoping to hear from you by this morning’s mail. The train did not get in until just before noon, but it brought me no letter. I felt so much disappointed that I did not attempt to write before the mail went North.

I recd. the New York Observer and Ledger for which I am much obliged. I wrote to Mr. Remick last night. My health is good. I am sorry to learn in your letters of March 30th & 31st, the last I received, that you were again contending with the blues.1 I hope, however, you succeeded in speedily dispelling them.

You must have been mistaken in Capt. Hoskins’ Commission as no news of that kind has yet reached us; besides his appointment could not be made until Flynn’s commission arrives here and he is mustered, making a vacancy in the next in rank.2 I have given myself very little trouble about the matter, though I think still that Hoskins will receive the promotion.

The weather to-day has been April like—both sunshine and clouds; it sprinkled rain once or twice but not much. Rev. Mr. Ruter of Chicago (Universalist) preached in the camp of the 102th Ills. I did not go to hear him; I saw a great many going from some of the Regts.

The 11th & 12th Corps have been consolidated and now form the 20th Army Corps, commd. by Genl. Hooker; Genl. Howard, who commanded our Corps, has been assigned to the 4th A.C.3 No orders have been yet received announcing the change, but Genl. Howard started for Loudon yesterday to assume command. We regret his loss very much.

I saw Chris [Yetter] to-day. He said he would write to you making an explanation of his last letter. I advised him to do so immediately as I thought you did not understand him. Nate [Hill] has been on picket for two days and has not yet returned. I expected during the week to talk to the Company to-day, but the boys were all on Picket. I have received no letters lately. I will try and write a letter to Sis to-night and will also add more to this if I am not disturbed. For the present, I hope God will bless you.

April 10th, 11 o’clock night

Dearest—I have been out riding this evening, visiting the Picket Lines & feel much refreshed. It was a great change to get from close confinement out amid nature. Everything is green, fresh and beautiful. Desolate as the Country [is], yet nature succeeds in wearing a Smile.

Shortly after I returned, Chris Yetter called in, and after conversing with him about an hour, I walked over to the Company. I did not get back until nearly ten o’clock & found the officers here discussing the war. All have gone to bed now, & I have sat down to finish my letter, as I shall have no time to-morrow before the mail closes. I feel thankful to God to-night for all his mercies and also feel encouraged to apply myself diligently to the performance of every duty. I commenced a letter to Sis at dark, but was interrupted, & it is doubtful whether it gets finished, and yet I feel it is my duty to write something to her.

Allen Fellows sent me a piece of maple sugar this evening and sent word that he would tell me about it the first time he saw me. Yetter wrote a letter to you which he handed me to read, but he took it back to modify it somewhat. We have no further news to-night. I am hoping anxiously to hear from you by to-morrow’s mail. May our Father in Heaven bless you. Give my love to Mother [Murphy] and Maggie and Remember me kindly to all our friends. I think I will add a few lines to Sis’s letter and enclose it to you. Please hand it to her after you read it. Be of good cheer and trust still in God who is able to keep us. Give me a particular account of the state of your health. I have felt a vague presentment to-day that you are not well; I know not why. Pray for me. Write often. Good night.

Your Affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

P.S.
Please enclose a few stamps. I find it very difficult to get them here. I am very thankful for those already received. I hope we may be paid off soon. I fear you are short of funds.

Mary Culver’s letters of March 30 and 31 are missing from the Culver Collection. [↩]

Andrew Cropsey, the regiment’s lieutenant colonel, had resigned his commission on Feb. 27, 1864, and had returned to Illinois. It was May 1 before Maj. Thomas H. Flynn of Winchester was promoted to fill the billet vacated by Cropsey, and June 28 before Captain Hoskins was commissioned major. Some of the soldiers preferred Captain Perry of Company C to be promoted to major rather than Captain Hoskins. Through the South with a Union Soldier, p. 113. [↩]

General Howard on April 8 issued a general order formally taking leave of the XI Corps. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXII, pt. III, p. 303. [↩]

About Colleen Theisen

Outreach and Instruction Librarian. Lover of coffee, as well as 19th century photography, painting, tourism and print.